CAP to perform critical missions during shutdown

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. — The Civil Air Patrol will continue to perform emergency and disaster response missions authorized by the Air Force during the federal government shutdown.

CAP annually participates in 90% of America’s inland search and rescue missions. CAP saved 32 lives in 2012 while conducting 700 search and rescue missions, nine of which were attributed to the expertise of CAP’s cell phone forensics and radar experts.

Additionally, during the past year CAP conducted more than 50 disaster relief operations, including damage assessment flights during recent Colorado flooding, the Oklahoma tornadoes and Hurricane Sandy.

“The Air Force depends on Civil Air Patrol to perform these critical missions,” said CAP National Commander Maj. Gen. Chuck Carr.

“During emergencies, CAP provides FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) and state and local governments with digital photos of the damage and where help is urgently needed in real time, ensuring a rapid response,” he said. “Our search and rescue services also rely on high-tech tools and technology to produce exceptional, life-saving results.”